Summary: In this episode of Art of the Kickstart, we interviewed Dan Demsky, co-founder of Unbound Merino, maker of high-quality and stylish wool clothing. Perfect for travel, Unbound Merino’s ultra-chic apparel is made from sustainable merino wool, a fast-drying, odor-resistant anti-wrinkle, breathable yet insulating fabric. Listen in and learn about the inspiration behind the brand, the process from idea to crowdfunding campaign launch and where Unbound Merino is today.<br> Topics Discussed and Key Crowdfunding Takeaways<br> <br> <br> <br> * What lead Dan Demsky to create Unbound Merino<br> * The challenges that came with designing, sourcing and manufacturing the products<br> * Why they launched a crowdfunding campaign and how they positioned themselves for Indiegogo success<br> * The ways they continue to understand who their customers are, why they use the products and what features are important to them<br> * How the COVID-19 pandemic is effecting Unbound Merino and what they plan to do about it<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Links<br> <br> * <a href="https://unboundmerino.com/">Unbound Merino</a><br> * <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/unbound-merino-the-ultimate-travel-hack#/">Unbound Merino on Indiegogo</a><br> * <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0986019593/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0986019593&linkCode=as2&tag=artofthekic-20&linkId=ee03e52d1b10fd2d32358b5bae86eeec">Scaling Up: How a Few Companies Make It...and Why the Rest Don't by Verne Harnish</a><br> <br> Sponsors<br> Art of the Kickstart is honored to be sponsored by The Gadget Flow, a product discovery platform that helps you discover, save, and buy awesome products. The Gadget Flow is the ultimate buyer's guide for cool luxury gadgets and creative gifts. <a href="http://gdfl.co/1W4WoeH">Click here</a> to learn more and list your product - use coupon code ATOKK16 for 20% off!<br> Transcript<br> View this episode's transcript<br> Roy Morejon:<br> Welcome to Art of the Kickstart, your source for crowdfunding campaign success. I’m your host, Roy Morejon, President of Enventys Partners, the top full-service turnkey product development and crowdfunding marketing agency in the world. We have helped startups raise over a $100 million for our clients since 2010. Each week, I’ll interview a crowdfunding success story, an inspirational entrepreneur, or a business expert in order to help you take your startup to the next level with crowdfunding. Art of the Kickstart is honored to be sponsored by Gadget Flow. The Gadget Flow is a product discovery platform that helps you discover, save, and buy awesome products. It is the ultimate buyer’s guide for luxury gadgets and creative gifts. Now, let’s get on with the show. Welcome to another edition of Art of the Kickstart.<br> Roy Morejon:<br> Today, I am talking with Dan Demsky from Toronto, Co-Founder of Unbound Merino, which is a maker of quality merino wool clothing. Dan, thanks so much for joining us today on Art of the Kickstart.<br> Dan Demsky:<br> Hey, Roy. Good to be here.<br> Roy Morejon:<br> You created the ultimate travel hack, if you will, this simple clothing line with amazing, extraordinary performance. You’ve run a couple of campaigns now. Really interested to talk about, where did the inspiration come from? Where did the company start, what inspired you to create Unbound Merino?<br> Dan Demsky:<br> Well, I had another business at the time. We were a video production agency and we did well, but I was for years really just… I stopped liking what I was doing and I was trying to come up with a new business and all I knew was I wanted to create a product, and I wanted to sell it online. That’s as much as I knew, and I was thinking for years, literally years.
